John Bruton changed Ireland considerably for the better, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said in his graveside oration for the former Taoiseach.
He said John Bruton was a statesman of unshakable integrity and moral conviction, who led the country with distinction at home and on the world stage.
John Bruton's life was defined by love – love of family, love of county, love of politics, love of our party, love of country, he said.
"He loved politics and believed it was the best way to achieve real and lasting change for the good. His core principle was that 'every person counts’ and he put that into action in every single role and office he held," Mr Varadkar said.
The Taoiseach said John Bruton loved Ireland, and it was a real love, not defined by dislike or fear of others, but by a genuine love of our country and what we could be. It was a noble, true and modern patriotism.
